Discussion
Hi,
Has anyone been to Tokyo?
Me and my Girlfriend really want to visit next year and am looking for advice. Wheres the best place for a young couple to stay? I've been looking at Akihabara as my GF is a massive Anime and Manga fan however i felt the standard of hotel was quite low for the price... The standard of hotel seems higher in Shiba and Roppongi and for the sake of a 1km bus ride i think its worth it. In particular i like the Prince Park Tower Hotel and if anyones stayed therefore whats their thoughts on this place?
Because of the long flight and the fact that there is so much to see and do we have decided on 2 weeks. It would also be nice to explore Japan outside Tokyo, so does anyone know how far you can go in a day? We dont really fancy being tied down to one of these 'excursions' and we dont mind getting up early if we have to.
Whens the best time of year to go? I think it would be better to avoid the summer 'rush' as i recon seeing all the colours of autumn would be a lot better than suffering excessive heat (its in the 30s now for example)
I'm aware that in comparison to other countries they have quite 'cosy' rooms and this isnt really a problem.
I'm also aware a holiday is fairly expensive there but money isnt a problem for me as i have the ability to save up
. My GF is a student but i dont mind helping her out (obviously).
Sorry for the monologue.... but i'd value any opinions. Other useful info would be if theres a weekly rail pass or the cost of a train journey as well as journey times to other parts of Japan so i can compare these agains the cost of an 'excursion'
Id say a max budget of 3k for flights and a room for the both of us for 13 nights.
Has anyone been to Tokyo?
Me and my Girlfriend really want to visit next year and am looking for advice. Wheres the best place for a young couple to stay? I've been looking at Akihabara as my GF is a massive Anime and Manga fan however i felt the standard of hotel was quite low for the price... The standard of hotel seems higher in Shiba and Roppongi and for the sake of a 1km bus ride i think its worth it. In particular i like the Prince Park Tower Hotel and if anyones stayed therefore whats their thoughts on this place?
Because of the long flight and the fact that there is so much to see and do we have decided on 2 weeks. It would also be nice to explore Japan outside Tokyo, so does anyone know how far you can go in a day? We dont really fancy being tied down to one of these 'excursions' and we dont mind getting up early if we have to.
Whens the best time of year to go? I think it would be better to avoid the summer 'rush' as i recon seeing all the colours of autumn would be a lot better than suffering excessive heat (its in the 30s now for example)
I'm aware that in comparison to other countries they have quite 'cosy' rooms and this isnt really a problem.
I'm also aware a holiday is fairly expensive there but money isnt a problem for me as i have the ability to save up
. My GF is a student but i dont mind helping her out (obviously).Sorry for the monologue.... but i'd value any opinions. Other useful info would be if theres a weekly rail pass or the cost of a train journey as well as journey times to other parts of Japan so i can compare these agains the cost of an 'excursion'
Id say a max budget of 3k for flights and a room for the both of us for 13 nights.
It's fantastic.
The computer district is quite full-on, I don't know what it would be like to stay there. There is a huge Manga library with video/internet booths/rooms off the main street which is interesting and restaurants above.
We stayed in Shinjuku, great location, there are loads of places to eat either in the local streets or under the MASSIVE station. The train system is really good and while slightly daunting to begin with, quite simple to understand and use. All the station names are spoken in English as you approach them which really helps.
Food-wise, point. Lots have plastic 'models' in the window. It's ok to point at them if you cant decypher the menu. The food halls in Shinjuku Station are amazing. Think Selfridges, but a bit more bizzare.
We were only there for a week but plan to go back in spring to see Kyoto and more of the coutryside and all being well Motegi.
When we were there we looked into going to Kyoto for the day on the Shinkansen but althoughg it would be do-able it'd be a waste.
One thing that is great is they love old bikes and cars, pristine random things as well as: (cars I saw) E36 M3, 997 GT3, AE86 (black bonnet of course) Mustard yellow T5R, 240Z with pop-riveted arches that sounded terrific (the car sounded terrific, the arches were silent in their glory).
Also, we didn't do the Studio Ghibli tour, if you are planning to go to Tokyo, get this booked up before hand. I wouldn't bother with the Sony headquarters, massive let-down. The parks are lovely though. Above all be brave and have a go in different places to eat and if you like pig curry with rice you're in luck.
Edited to add, have a look on Tripadvisor, I was quite set on the Prince Park Tower (IIRC) but didn't get good reviews. i think we stayed at Keio Plaza Shinjuku on the 32nd floor. fantastic view. great service. Absolutely no complaints. Also, we got the coach from the airport, easy as pie to do. We went in December and it was lovely. fresh and clear skies. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer them.
The computer district is quite full-on, I don't know what it would be like to stay there. There is a huge Manga library with video/internet booths/rooms off the main street which is interesting and restaurants above.
We stayed in Shinjuku, great location, there are loads of places to eat either in the local streets or under the MASSIVE station. The train system is really good and while slightly daunting to begin with, quite simple to understand and use. All the station names are spoken in English as you approach them which really helps.
Food-wise, point. Lots have plastic 'models' in the window. It's ok to point at them if you cant decypher the menu. The food halls in Shinjuku Station are amazing. Think Selfridges, but a bit more bizzare.
We were only there for a week but plan to go back in spring to see Kyoto and more of the coutryside and all being well Motegi.
When we were there we looked into going to Kyoto for the day on the Shinkansen but althoughg it would be do-able it'd be a waste.
One thing that is great is they love old bikes and cars, pristine random things as well as: (cars I saw) E36 M3, 997 GT3, AE86 (black bonnet of course) Mustard yellow T5R, 240Z with pop-riveted arches that sounded terrific (the car sounded terrific, the arches were silent in their glory).
Also, we didn't do the Studio Ghibli tour, if you are planning to go to Tokyo, get this booked up before hand. I wouldn't bother with the Sony headquarters, massive let-down. The parks are lovely though. Above all be brave and have a go in different places to eat and if you like pig curry with rice you're in luck.
Edited to add, have a look on Tripadvisor, I was quite set on the Prince Park Tower (IIRC) but didn't get good reviews. i think we stayed at Keio Plaza Shinjuku on the 32nd floor. fantastic view. great service. Absolutely no complaints. Also, we got the coach from the airport, easy as pie to do. We went in December and it was lovely. fresh and clear skies. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer them.
Edited by Crook on Tuesday 10th August 17:48
I stayed at the Granbell Hotel in Shibuya; a great little boutique hotel just 5 minutes from Shibuya station and was very good value for money (or was in 2007). Do what you want, but I'd recommend the metro over getting a bus; there is a main over-ground loop track that goes all the way around the city and trains are only 2 minutes apart; much cheaper than a bus.
Shibuya is home to that pedestrian crossing and is a great place to people watch, especially at night when it's all lit up in neon. Shinjiku is good for mulling around in but half of it is a business district so quite boring (comparatively) but it is home to the Park Hyatt which, if you've got deep pockets, is one of the best hotels you will ever stay in.
In terms of going outside tokyo, bullet trains will take you to Osaka or Kyoto in a matter of hours (2 IIRC), giving you plenty of time to have a decent day out. I stayed in Osaka for a few days; quite a busy, dirty city with not many sights; it's good but I'd head for Kyoto for touristy things.
That said nothing comes close to Tokyo if you're a comic/anime/magna/nerd/geek
And there's nothing quite like walking through Harajuku
Shibuya is home to that pedestrian crossing and is a great place to people watch, especially at night when it's all lit up in neon. Shinjiku is good for mulling around in but half of it is a business district so quite boring (comparatively) but it is home to the Park Hyatt which, if you've got deep pockets, is one of the best hotels you will ever stay in.
In terms of going outside tokyo, bullet trains will take you to Osaka or Kyoto in a matter of hours (2 IIRC), giving you plenty of time to have a decent day out. I stayed in Osaka for a few days; quite a busy, dirty city with not many sights; it's good but I'd head for Kyoto for touristy things.
That said nothing comes close to Tokyo if you're a comic/anime/magna/nerd/geek
And there's nothing quite like walking through HarajukuCheers for the replies guys, thumbs up for the anime studio tour idea! I recon I'll score plenty of brownie points if i mention that!
I myself am not a huge manga / anime fan but i know my GF will go nuts
she also loves bright colours etc so is gonna be probably high on light exposure and manga/anime overload for 2 weeks
Above all be brave and have a go in different places to eat and if you like pig curry with rice you're in luck. Hahaha I'm looking forward ot the food so much! I'm one of those that tries EVERYTHING and usually likes it, its so satisfying when you eat something weird and love it. Both me and my GF love Asian food so having some authentic stuff it gonna be great.
I was quite set on the Prince Park Tower (IIRC) but didn't get good reviews. Yes i noticed this. Its because people are foolish. They expect to go somewhere new and expect everything to be like the last place they went to. Its a 4.5 star independently rated hotel, has 4.7 out of 5 for customer reviews and is a reasonable price. I read 7 or 8 reviews saying the location was bad... HELLO! its next to one of Tokyo's landmarks lol and every room has a city view it states! I would personally spend the extra £13.47 per night to be on a higher floor in a slightly bigger room with balcony, purely because I'm a sucker for a view and a Kingsise bed is preferable over two singles etc.
Im not overly fussed about hotel's food etc. I find lots of negative reviews for hotels are to do with people that are mabye too lazy to go out and explore or have children and they complain the on site restaurant doesnt have enough choice or is over priced... One guy gave 2 stars becasue the on site Gym was $25 a go which is a rediculous thing to rate a hotel on!
I will look at Shinjuku and Granbell Hotel in Shibuya and see how they compare. Hotel location is quite important but to be fair Tokyo is a very advanced City, London is quick enough to get around and our transport system sucks compared to the Japanese on punctuality so i dont mind spending 30 mins on the Metro to visit different districts.
I will take your advice on using the Metro over busses / taxis.
Im glad you can get out and about a bit. Visiting Mt Fuji would be amazing. Just riding on the bullet train would be amazing! I really want to visit some of the ancient villages / cities, is that possible in a day?
Me and my Girlfriend are planning to go next September/October/November i think, enjoy all the colours and the cooler days (having lived in London all my life i know theres nothing more uncomfortable than a scorching day in a bustling city so want to avoid the heat!). Gives her plenty of time to set aside some money and gives us both PLENTY of time to make up a sort of plan i would really hate to arrive then spend the first 4 days thinking where do go etc! what a waste lol
Also i know that to visit the most places in our time it would be best to stay somewhere for 2 days move on etc but TBH i really cant be doing with the stress of all that. It is a holiday after all.
@ Crook. Can you remember the cost of a good meal in a decent restaurant?
Can you remember the cost of a rail fare? - i think you can get a weekly pass?
Just wanting to get an idea of how much money to take with me. i recon £1,000 will be ok but i really dont know!
Going to definately get a currency converter installed on my phone before we set off lol, i always forget theres about 190 yen to a £ haha
I myself am not a huge manga / anime fan but i know my GF will go nuts
she also loves bright colours etc so is gonna be probably high on light exposure and manga/anime overload for 2 weeksAbove all be brave and have a go in different places to eat and if you like pig curry with rice you're in luck. Hahaha I'm looking forward ot the food so much! I'm one of those that tries EVERYTHING and usually likes it, its so satisfying when you eat something weird and love it. Both me and my GF love Asian food so having some authentic stuff it gonna be great.
I was quite set on the Prince Park Tower (IIRC) but didn't get good reviews. Yes i noticed this. Its because people are foolish. They expect to go somewhere new and expect everything to be like the last place they went to. Its a 4.5 star independently rated hotel, has 4.7 out of 5 for customer reviews and is a reasonable price. I read 7 or 8 reviews saying the location was bad... HELLO! its next to one of Tokyo's landmarks lol and every room has a city view it states! I would personally spend the extra £13.47 per night to be on a higher floor in a slightly bigger room with balcony, purely because I'm a sucker for a view and a Kingsise bed is preferable over two singles etc.
Im not overly fussed about hotel's food etc. I find lots of negative reviews for hotels are to do with people that are mabye too lazy to go out and explore or have children and they complain the on site restaurant doesnt have enough choice or is over priced... One guy gave 2 stars becasue the on site Gym was $25 a go which is a rediculous thing to rate a hotel on!
I will look at Shinjuku and Granbell Hotel in Shibuya and see how they compare. Hotel location is quite important but to be fair Tokyo is a very advanced City, London is quick enough to get around and our transport system sucks compared to the Japanese on punctuality so i dont mind spending 30 mins on the Metro to visit different districts.
I will take your advice on using the Metro over busses / taxis.
Im glad you can get out and about a bit. Visiting Mt Fuji would be amazing. Just riding on the bullet train would be amazing! I really want to visit some of the ancient villages / cities, is that possible in a day?
Me and my Girlfriend are planning to go next September/October/November i think, enjoy all the colours and the cooler days (having lived in London all my life i know theres nothing more uncomfortable than a scorching day in a bustling city so want to avoid the heat!). Gives her plenty of time to set aside some money and gives us both PLENTY of time to make up a sort of plan i would really hate to arrive then spend the first 4 days thinking where do go etc! what a waste lol
Also i know that to visit the most places in our time it would be best to stay somewhere for 2 days move on etc but TBH i really cant be doing with the stress of all that. It is a holiday after all.
@ Crook. Can you remember the cost of a good meal in a decent restaurant?
Can you remember the cost of a rail fare? - i think you can get a weekly pass?
Just wanting to get an idea of how much money to take with me. i recon £1,000 will be ok but i really dont know!
Going to definately get a currency converter installed on my phone before we set off lol, i always forget theres about 190 yen to a £ haha
Hi,
In answer to the question about meals out, we didn't eat anywhere that you would call expensive. Purely because they were very expensive!
We looked at a rail pass, the one that gets you on all the local trains and all but the fastest of the Shinkansens but even looking at going to Kyouto for a day (I think it was about £300ish return for two people, not sure would have to check) it was cheaper for what we did to buy individual tickets on the circle line and various other trains (there are two or three, IIRC, train companies so you need different tickets or a travel card that covers all of them)
You could easily get out of Tokyo for a day, and even to Kyoto on a long day, we planned to go to the Bamboo forest which was a further hour and a half each way from Kyoto so in the end we decided to come back and start at Kyoto.
With Hotels, I would, based on the service at the Kieo, assume that everywhere would be very good. As you say some people on Trip Advisor can be funny buggers.
The only area that would be quiet is near the Tokyo Tower, everywhere else we visited was busy, just degrees of how busy you want. As long as you are a few minutes walk from a station there isn't anywhere that is too far really.
In answer to the question about meals out, we didn't eat anywhere that you would call expensive. Purely because they were very expensive!
We looked at a rail pass, the one that gets you on all the local trains and all but the fastest of the Shinkansens but even looking at going to Kyouto for a day (I think it was about £300ish return for two people, not sure would have to check) it was cheaper for what we did to buy individual tickets on the circle line and various other trains (there are two or three, IIRC, train companies so you need different tickets or a travel card that covers all of them)
You could easily get out of Tokyo for a day, and even to Kyoto on a long day, we planned to go to the Bamboo forest which was a further hour and a half each way from Kyoto so in the end we decided to come back and start at Kyoto.
With Hotels, I would, based on the service at the Kieo, assume that everywhere would be very good. As you say some people on Trip Advisor can be funny buggers.
The only area that would be quiet is near the Tokyo Tower, everywhere else we visited was busy, just degrees of how busy you want. As long as you are a few minutes walk from a station there isn't anywhere that is too far really.
Edited by Crook on Wednesday 11th August 10:17
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